Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

An image forming apparatus, including: an image carrier; a transfer device for transferring toner images carried on the image carrier onto the recording material; and a pressing section for pressing the transfer material onto the image carrier; wherein the pressing section is trapezoidal, including: a straight edge portion positioned at the center of the pressing section, perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording material, and sloped edge portions, wherein the width of the straight edge portion is equal to or greater than 95% of the width of the recording material.

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image carrier; 
 a transfer device for charging a back surface of a recording material in contact with the image carrier, and transferring toner images carried on the image carrier onto the recording material; and 
 a pressing section for pressing the transfer material onto the image carrier by pushing the back surface of the transfer material; 
 wherein the pressing section includes an elastic plate whose top portion is formed to be a trapezoidal shape, including: 
 a straight edge portion positioned at the center of the pressing section, perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording material, and 
 sloped edge portions at both ends of the straight edge portion, 
 wherein the width of the straight edge portion is equal to or greater than 95% of the width of the recording material. 
 
   
   
     2. The image forming apparatus described in  claim 1 , wherein the pressing section further includes
 an intermediate section, the top of which is curved at curvature radius of 5 mm or more, formed between the straight edge portion and the sloped edge portion. 
 
   
   
     3. The image forming apparatus described in  claim 1 , wherein the elastic plate is made of a polyethylene terephthalate film. 
   
   
     4. An image forming apparatus comprising:
 an image carrier; 
 a transfer device for charging a back surface of a recording material in contact with the image carrier, and transferring toner images carried on the image carrier onto the recording material; and 
 a pressing section for pressing the transfer material onto the image carrier by pushing the back surface of the transfer material; 
 wherein the pressing section includes an elastic plate whose top portion is formed to be a trapezoidal shape, including: 
 a straight edge portion positioned at the center of the pressing section, perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording material; 
 sloped edge portions at both ends of the straight edge portion; and 
 intermediate portions between the sloped edge portions and the straight edge; 
 wherein the intermediate portion is curved at curvature radius of 5 mm or more. 
 
   
   
     5. The image forming apparatus described in  claim 1 , further comprising a position changing means for changing the position of pressing means from a pressing position to a standby position. 
   
   
     6. The image forming apparatus described in  claim 1 , wherein the width of the straight edge portion is equal to or less than 96% of the width of the recording material.